The name Cortois arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Cortois comes from refined or educated person. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old French word curteis, which means refined or accomplished.[1]CITATION[CLOSE]Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.

Cortois Early Origins

The surname Cortois was first found in Warwickshire but the name was scattered throughout Britain since early times. By example, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists: William le Curteis in Cambridgeshire; Walter Curteys in Oxfordshire; Osbert le Curteys in Essex; Henry Corteys in Devon; and Richard le Corteys in Oxfordshire. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) Over one hundred years later, the YorkshirePoll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists Adam Curtase and Johannes Cartas. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

Cortois Spelling Variations

Cortois Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Curtis, Curtiss, Curtyss, Curtys, Curtess, Curtes, Cortes, Cortis and many more.

Cortois Early History

Cortois Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cortois research. Another 321 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1130, 1168, 1531 and 1534 are included under the topic Early Cortois History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cortois Early Notables (pre 1700)

Cortois Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Cortois Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cortois In Ireland

Cortois In Ireland

Some of the Cortois family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Cortois or a variant listed above: Deodate Curtis who settled in Braintree in the state of Maine in 1643. Henry Curtis settled in Windsor in 1645; and another Henry Curtis settled in Sudbury in 1636. No fewer than 12 notable settlers settled in the New Colonies within the period from 1630 to 1680.

The Cortois Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Cortois Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.